Diving: Jack Laugher crowned overall World Series winner

Jack Laugher wrapped up his first overall world series title despite a disappointing end to the six-competition run in Mexico.

Laugher was leading the overall standings in the 3m springbaord by nine points heading into the final event in Merida.

And, despite finishing last of the six competitors in the final event, German Patrick Hausding was unable to gather enough points to overturn the advantage.

Following the competition, Laugher said on Twitter: “I’ve learnt a lot at these World Series and am really looking forward to World Championships. Plus, overall champion isn’t bad too.”

Laugher’s dad David said: “Jack has achieved a giant leap in his performance this year which is very encouraging in the lead up to Rio 2016.

“Although there have been one or two setbacks the general trend for Jack is up and up.”

The 20-year-old had produced a dominant show in his semi-final to qualify at the head of the field in Mexico, scoring 462.85 points from his six dives.

However, he dropped his opening and easiest dive of the final to fall into last place, scoring just 64.60 points from the judges.

Top marks followed for his three-and-a-half reverse somersault with tuck, but he dropped back to the foot of the standings when his hardest dive went awry.

The Ripon ace mistimed his front two-and-a-half with three twists to score only 46.80 points, the worst scoring dive of all the competitors in the final.

And despite securing 96.90 points for his fifth dive, Laugher could not move up the standings. However, German Hausding also had problems in the pool, and his fifth-place finish handed the overall prize to Laugher.

In their first world series as a pair, Laugher and City of Leeds diver Chris Mears ended fifth overall, following a fifth-placed finish in Mexico.

The duo scored 412.20 points from their six dives, saving the best until last with the joint highest score of the 3m synchro final.